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Purpose: Compare tracking groups with cognitive control functions and plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factors concentrations from childhood to adolescence. Methods: This is a prospective study with 3 years of follow-up. At baseline, data from 394 individuals were collected (11.7 y), and data were obtained from 134 adolescents (14.9 y) at the 3-year follow-up. At both time points, anthropometric and maximal oxygen uptake data were collected. Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) groups were classified into high or low CRF. At follow-up, cognitive outcomes were collected via the Stroop and Corsi block test; plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factors concentrations were also analyzed. Results: Comparisons demonstrated that maintaining high CRF over 3 years results in shorter reaction time, better inhibitory control, and higher working memory values. Likewise, the group that moved from low to high CRF over 3 years presented better reaction time. Plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factors concentrations were higher for the group that increased its CRF over the 3 years in relation to the low–low group (90.58 pg·mL−1; P =.004). However, after scaling by an allometric approach, differences were only found for reaction time and working memory between high–high and high–low groups. Conclusion: Maintaining high CRF over 3 years was positively related to reaction time and working memory in relation to adolescents that decreased their levels of CRF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sensorimotor stimulation during the sensitive period is crucial for proper brain development. Kicking sports (KS) training stimulates these sensorimotor functions. The purpose of this study was to investigate if incorporating specific sensorimotor stimulation in mediolateral axis and proprioceptive inputs during KS training will improve the specific sensorimotor performance in adolescents. We assessed stability limits in 13 KS practitioners and 20 control participants. Starting from an upright position, subjects were asked to lean as far as possible (forward, backward, rightward, and leftward). Three sensory conditions were tested: (1) eyes open, (2) eyes closed, and (3) eyes closed while standing on a foam mat. We analyzed the maximal center of pressure excursion and the root means square of the center of pressure displacements. Results showed that KS group had smaller root means square and larger maximal center of pressure excursions than those of control participants in mediolateral axis in all sensory conditions. Furthermore, the results also revealed a significant smaller root means square excursion in KS group under foam mat condition compared to control group ML axis. This study provides evidence that KS training improved the lateral balance control and proprioceptive integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Solid organ transplantation (SOT) offers improved long‐term survival for youth with end‐stage organ disease. From a neurodevelopmental, cognitive, and academic perspective, children with solid organ transplant have a number of unique risk factors. While cognitive functioning may improve post‐transplantation, it is important to understand the trajectory of neurocognitive development starting in transplant candidacy to evaluate the implications of early deficits. Aim: The aim of this paper is to describe the neurocognitive risks and long‐term implications for adolescent transplant recipients. Method: This paper provides an overview of neurocognitive functioning in youth with end‐stage organ dysfunction with discussion of implications for adolescent transplant recipients. Results: Post‐transplant, adolescent, and young adult solid organ transplant recipients exhibit significant levels of executive dysfunction, with implications for decision‐making, regimen adherence, and transition to adult transplant care. Conclusion: Transplantation may reduce the risk for poor long‐term neurocognitive effects, yet adolescent transplant recipients remain at increased risk, particularly in executive functioning, which has implications for adherence and transition to adulthood. Baseline and follow‐up assessments for youth with end‐stage organ disease and transplant are important for the monitoring of neurocognitive development and may be used to mitigate risk for low adherence to post‐transplantation treatment regimens and reduce barriers to transitioning to adult transplant care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Only a small number of studies have assessed structural differences between the two hemispheres during childhood and adolescence. However, the existing findings lack consistency or are restricted to a particular brain region, a specific brain feature, or a relatively narrow age range. Here, we investigated associations between brain asymmetry and age as well as sex in one of the largest pediatric samples to date (n = 4265), aged 1–18 years, scanned at 69 sites participating in the ENIGMA (Enhancing NeuroImaging Genetics through Meta‐Analysis) consortium. Our study revealed that significant brain asymmetries already exist in childhood, but their magnitude and direction depend on the brain region examined and the morphometric measurement used (cortical volume or thickness, regional surface area, or subcortical volume). With respect to effects of age, some asymmetries became weaker over time while others became stronger; sometimes they even reversed direction. With respect to sex differences, the total number of regions exhibiting significant asymmetries was larger in females than in males, while the total number of measurements indicating significant asymmetries was larger in males (as we obtained more than one measurement per cortical region). The magnitude of the significant asymmetries was also greater in males. However, effect sizes for both age effects and sex differences were small. Taken together, these findings suggest that cerebral asymmetries are an inherent organizational pattern of the brain that manifests early in life. Overall, brain asymmetry appears to be relatively stable throughout childhood and adolescence, with some differential effects in males and females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: Intensely stressful experiences can lead to long-lasting changes in appetitive and aversive behaviors. In humans, post-traumatic stress disorder increases the risk of comorbid appetitive disorders including addiction and obesity. We have previously shown that an acute stressful experience in adult male rats suppresses motivation for natural reward. Objectives: We examine the impact of sex and age on the effects of intense stress on action-based (instrumental) and stimulus-based (Pavlovian) motivation for natural reward (food). Methods: Rats received 15 unsignaled footshocks (stress) in a single session followed by appetitive training and testing in a distinct context. In Experiment 1, stress occurred in either adolescence (PN28) or adulthood (PN70) with appetitive training and testing beginning on PN71 for all rats. In Experiment 2, stress and appetitive training/testing occurred in adolescence. Results: Acute stress in adolescent females suppressed instrumental motivation assessed with progressive ratio testing when testing occurred in late adolescence or in adulthood, whereas in males stress in adolescence did not suppress instrumental motivation. Acute stress in adulthood did not alter instrumental motivation. In contrast, Pavlovian motivation assessed with single-outcome Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer (SO-PIT) was consistently enhanced in females following adolescent or adult stress. In males, however, stress in adolescence had no effect, whereas stress in adulthood attenuated SO-PIT. Conclusions: Acute stress in adolescence or adulthood altered instrumental motivation and stimulus-triggered Pavlovian motivation in a sex and developmentally specific manner. These findings suggest that the persistent effects of acute stress on Pavlovian and instrumental motivational processes differ in females and males, and that males may be less vulnerable to the deleterious effects of intense stress during adolescence on appetitive motivation. Highlights: Acute stress during adolescence or adulthood enhanced Pavlovian motivation in females. Acute stress during adulthood impaired Pavlovian motivation in males, but adolescent stress had no effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study investigated how active and avoidant coping styles predicted the trajectory membership of anxiety symptoms during the transition into early adolescence. A total of 321 Chinese children aged 9 to 10 years were recruited from a primary school in mainland China. Self‐reported trait anxiety, coping styles and anxiety symptoms were assessed at baseline. After 6 months, self‐reported anxiety symptoms were measured at three follow‐up assessments with an interval of 6 months. Latent class growth modelling revealed high (18.7%) and low (81.3%) trajectories of anxiety symptoms in children during the transition into early adolescence. After controlling for trait anxiety, depression and sex, high active coping style predicted the trajectory of high anxiety symptoms, which was not moderated by trait anxiety. Before controlling for these covariates, the relation between active coping style and anxiety symptoms was in the opposite direction. A high avoidant coping style showed a trend to predict the trajectory of high anxiety symptoms only for children with low trait anxiety. These findings add a developmental context to the relationships of active and avoidant coping styles to anxiety symptoms and suggest that trait anxiety may moderate these relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sensitive periods, in which experiences have a large impact on phenotypic development, are most common early in ontogeny. Yet, they may also occur at later ontogenetic stages, such as adolescence. At present, however, we know little about why natural selection favours sensitive periods for some traits early in ontogeny and for others later in ontogeny. This article synthesizes recent mathematical models and empirical studies that explore sensitive periods beyond early ontogeny. Across mathematical models, we observe two general patterns. First, sensitive periods emerge beyond early ontogeny when an organism's uncertainty about the environment‐phenotype fit increases at later developmental stages. Second, sensitive periods emerge beyond early ontogeny when cues at later stages reduce this uncertainty more than earlier cues do. In the empirical literature, we observe that traits showing sensitive periods beyond early ontogeny tend to be social traits, particularly among mammals. Connecting theory to data, we hypothesize that mammals have evolved to expect reliable information from peers in adolescence to reduce uncertainty about the current and future social environment (e.g. social dominance, mate value). Finally, we highlight current gaps in our understanding and suggest future directions for strengthening bridges between empirical and theoretical studies of sensitive periods. Ultimately, we hope our synthesis will contribute towards an integrative science of sensitive periods across the biological and the social sciences. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The transition from childhood to adulthood, or adolescence, a developmental stage, is characterized by psychosocial and biological changes. The nucleus accumbens (NAc), a striatal brain region composed of the core (NAcC) and shell (NAcSh), has been linked to risk-taking behavior and implicated in reward seeking and evaluation. Most neurons in the NAc are medium spiny neurons (MSNs) that express dopamine D1 receptors (D1R +) and/or dopamine D2 receptors (D2R +). Changes in dopaminergic and glutamatergic systems occur during adolescence and converge in the NAc. While there are previous investigations into sex differences in membrane excitability and synaptic glutamate transmission in both subdivisions of the NAc, to our knowledge, none have specified NAcSh D1R + MSNs from mice during pre- and mid-adolescence. Methods: Sagittal brain slices containing the NAc were prepared from B6.Cg-Tg(Drd1a-tdTomato)6Calak/J mice of both sexes from postnatal days 21–25 and 35–47, representing pre- and mid-adolescence, respectively. Whole-cell electrophysiology recordings were collected from NAcSh D1R + MSNs in the form of membrane-voltage responses to current injections, to assess membrane properties and action potential waveform characteristics, and spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) to assess glutamatergic synaptic activity. Results: Relative to pre-adolescent males, pre-adolescent female NAcSh D1R + MSNs exhibited a less hyperpolarized resting membrane potential, increased input resistance, and smaller action potential afterhyperpolarization amplitudes. During mid-adolescence, decreased input resistance and a shorter action potential duration in females were the only sex differences observed. Conclusions: Taken together, our results indicate that NAcSh D1R + MSNs in mice exhibit sex differences in membrane properties and AP waveform during pre-adolescence that are overall indicative of increased cellular excitability in females and are suggestive of possible sex differences in glycine receptors, inwardly-rectifying potassium channels, and large conductance voltage-gated potassium channels. These differences do not appear to persist into mid-adolescence, when sex was observed to affect input resistance oppositely to that of pre-adolescence and AP waveform in a manner suggestive of differences in voltage-gated potassium channels. Plain language summary: Adolescence marks a period of substantial changes in both the mind and body, where alterations in the brain's structure can influence behavior. One change in behavior exhibited by many adolescents is an increased tendency to take risks, particularly in males. While taking risks can result in positive outcomes, like learning new skills, it can also lead to reckless behaviors that may result in negative outcomes. The nucleus accumbens, a brain region tied to risk-taking and reward perception, is not well-studied during the transition from childhood to adulthood, particularly in terms of sex differences. To fill this gap in understanding, this study examined a specific type of brain cell in the nucleus accumbens of pre- and mid-adolescent male and female mice. We measured the electrical properties of these cells and assessed how they responded to manipulation of their electrical state. We also measured how much and how often excitatory electrical information is sent to these cells from other brain regions. Our results suggest that in pre-adolescent females, these brain cells are more excited by manipulations of their electrical state and that these brain cells in mid-adolescent males may take longer to communicate information to other brain regions than in similarly aged females. Understanding these intricacies of brain cell communication sheds light on potential sex-specific vulnerabilities during the transition from childhood to adulthood. Highlights: Sex, as a biological variable, impacts measures of membrane properties and cellular excitability of dopamine D1 receptor-expressing medium spiny neurons within the shell of the nucleus accumbens during pre- and mid-adolescence. Developmental stage impacts the effects sex has on membrane properties and excitability. Sex, as a biological variable, does not impact basal glutamate transmission during pre- or mid-adolescence. This study is one of the first to assess sex-differences in this cell type in this brain region during pre- and mid-adolescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Fluid socio-cultural ecologies that reflect historical events and their actors have led to particular religious groups being promoted or persecuted. This article explores how religiously minoritized youth are identified considering local and global contexts. I apply a phenomenological variant of ecological systems theory (PVEST) to understanding regularities and variations in development through a person-centered, relational, holistic lens that considers the intersection of multiple identities. Relatedly, I outline broad conceptual tools that center on how orientations to in-group vs out-group religious and intersecting identities and related experiences align with a range of research methods to reflect such complexity. I suggest ways to study religious and spiritual influences of religiously minoritized youth that are specific to the faith tradition and particular youth's circumstances in a holistic manner when these issues are a focal area of study, and when they emerge as relevant to other inquiries. Finally, I consider how understanding religiously minoritized youth, their peers, and mentors can be applied to educational, health care, and community settings to inform equitable practice and policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article serves as an introduction to the special issue on Contemporary Issues in Religious and Spiritual Development in Adolescence, Young Adulthood, and Beyond. First, we give an account of the history of research on religious and spiritual development in adolescence and beyond. Although religion and spirituality have a long history in psychology, it is still an emerging area of research. Second, we summarize the current body of work on religious and spiritual development in adolescence and beyond. Most research in this area has focused on outcomes, particularly religion and spirituality as a protective factor against negative youth outcomes. Some work has also looked at individual and contextual predictors of religion and spirituality. Less is known about processes and trajectories of religious development, particularly in terms of changes in religious identification. Third, we recommend directions for future research in this area. We focus on the need for research to look at the role of religion and spirituality in positive youth development, the religious and spiritual experiences of religious minority youth, religious and spiritual challenges faced by sexual minority youth, and processes and predictors of religious deconversion. Fourth, we outline the four review papers on contemporary issues in religious and spiritual development featured in the special issue. These papers provide literature reviews on four important directions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure to early life stress (ELS) has been consistently associated with adverse emotional and neural consequences in youth. The development of brain structures such as the hippocampus, which plays a significant role in stress and emotion regulation, may be particularly salient in the development of psychopathology. Prior work has documented smaller hippocampal volume (HCV) in relation to both ELS exposure and risk for psychopathology. We used longitudinal k-means clustering to identify simultaneous trajectories of HCV and emotional problems in 155 youth across three assessments conducted approximately two years apart (mean baseline age = 11.33 years, 57% female). We also examined depressive symptoms and resilience approximately two years after the third timepoint. We identified three clusters of participants: a cluster with high HCV and low emotional problems; a cluster with low HCV and high emotional problems; and a cluster with low HCV and low emotional problems. Importantly, severity of ELS was associated with greater likelihood of belonging to the low HCV/high symptom cluster than to the low HCV/low symptom cluster. Further, low HCV/high symptom participants had more depressive symptoms and lower resilience scores than did participants in the low HCV/low symptom, but not than in the high HCV/low symptom cluster. Our findings suggest that smaller HCV indexes biological sensitivity to stress. This adds to our understanding of the ways in which ELS can affect hippocampal and emotional development in young people and points to hippocampal volume as a marker of susceptibility to context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Overgeneralization of conditioned fear is associated with anxiety disorders (AD). Most results stem from studies done in adult patients, but studies with children are rare, although the median onset of anxiety disorders lies already in childhood. Thus, the goal of the present study was to examine fear learning and generalization in youth participants, aged 10–17 years, with AD (n = 39) compared to healthy controls (HC) (n = 40). A discriminative fear conditioning and generalization paradigm was used. Ratings of arousal, valence, and US expectancy (the probability of an aversive noise following each stimulus) were measured, hypothesizing that children with AD compared to HC would show heightened ratings of arousal and US expectancy, and decreased positive valence ratings, respectively, as well as overgeneralization of fear. The results indicated that children with AD rated all stimuli as more arousing and less pleasant, and demonstrated higher US expectancy ratings to all stimuli when compared to HC. Thus, rather than displaying qualitatively different generalization patterns (e.g., a linear vs. quadratic slope of the gradient), differences between groups were more quantitative (similar, but parallel shifted gradient). Therefore, overgeneralization of conditioned fear does not seem to be a general marker of anxiety disorders in children and adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent research in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has suggested a higher prevalence of gender diversity in individuals diagnosed with ASD. Adolescence is a critical period for the consolidation of gender identity, yet the extent to which the experience of gender diversity is stable over adolescence and puberty in autistic youth is poorly understood. The aim of the study was to examine the consistency of gender diversity using the gender diversity screening questionnaire for self‐ and parent‐report of youth (GDSQ‐S, GDSQ‐P) over a four‐year longitudinal study of pubertal development in youth with ASD (N = 140, 36 assigned‐female‐at birth (AFAB)) and typical development (TD, N = 104, 58 assigned‐male‐at‐birth [AMAB]) and their parents. The extent to which diagnosis (ASD vs. TD), assigned sex (AFAB vs. AMAB) and developmental level (age, puberty) predict GDSQ trajectory over time was explored. There was a significant diagnosis by sex‐assigned‐at‐birth by age interaction for GDSQ‐S Gender Diversity, p = 0.002, showing higher scores in autistic AFAB youth over adolescence, and TD AFAB showing initially lower, then increasing levels over adolescence. For GDSQ‐P, Gender Incongruence was significantly different between the groups, p = 0.032, showing higher incongruence for autistic AFAB around age 10, decreasing between age 12–14 before increasing again, while TD AFAB evidence the inverse trend. AMAB trends were stable. The significant diagnostic, developmental and sex‐based differences indicate AFAB youth experience greater gender diversity that evolves over development. Findings suggest gender identity formation is nuanced and may be influenced by pubertal progression, hormonal patterns, and psychosocial factors. Results underscore the need for enhanced understanding of the unique, dynamic profiles of females‐assigned‐at‐birth. Lay Summary: A higher prevalence of gender variance in autism has been found but it is unclear if it remains stable over adolescence. A sample of 140 autistic youth and 104 non‐autistic youth were followed over 4 years to determine if gender experiences change over development. Differences were found showing females assigned‐at‐birth experience greater gender diversity that evolves over development and may be related to pubertal, psychological, and social factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suicidal thoughts and behaviors often emerge in a predictable sequence, with suicidal ideation (SI) preceding planning, and planning preceding actions. Few studies, however, have considered the timing and duration of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in these transitions. Accordingly, this study examined: 1) the developmental sequencing of NSSI, SI and suicide attempts, and 2) whether age of onset or duration predict transitions from NSSI to other SITB, and from SI to NSSI. 704 first-year students from a mid-sized Canadian university (Sample 1) and 2095 adults from an online research volunteer panel (Sample 2) completed the Self-Injurious Thoughts and Behaviors Interview self-report, which assessed the presence, age of onset, and recency of SITB. NSSI and SI typically onset before age 15, while suicide planning and attempt usually began at or after age 15. Transition from NSSI to SI was likeliest in the first year after NSSI onset. Transition from NSSI to suicide attempt was likeliest in the second and third year after NSSI onset in Sample 1, and up to four years after NSSI onset in Sample 2. Early (before age 13) and late (after age 16) onsets of NSSI predicted higher odds of transitioning from NSSI to SI or attempt. Transition from SI to NSSI was likeliest in the first two years after SI onset and when SI began before age 13. The first year after NSSI or SI onset are critical for transitions to other SITB. Targeted prevention and monitoring should be considered for people who recently initiated NSSI. • NSSI and suicidal ideation (SI) typically begin within 1–2 years of each other • Transition from NSSI to SI was likeliest in the first year after NSSI onset • Transition risk from NSSI to attempt persisted for 3+ years after NSSI onset • NSSI onset before age 13 or after 16 predicted transitioning to SI or attempt • Onset of SI before age 13 predicted transition to NSSI [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Adolescence coincides with a dramatic rise in the onset of psychiatric conditions including depression. Depression symptoms may be particularly prevalent and impairing for youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). While prior research suggests adolescence is associated with worsening depression symptoms for typically developing (TD) and autistic youth, it is unclear if they follow a similar course. Method The study examined the trajectory of depressive symptoms in autistic and neurotypical youth over a 4-year longitudinal study using linear and logistic mixed effects models. In youth with clinically relevant depressive scores (t-score > 65), moderating factors (i.e., diagnosis, age, puberty, sex) were explored. During Year 1, the sample included 244 youth 10-to-13 years: 140 in the ASD group (36 females) and 104 in the TD group (46 females). Results Autistic youth had elevated depression scores compared to TD peers (p

In Miller v. Alabama (2012), the Supreme Court abolished mandatory juvenile life without parole (JLWOP) sentences and subsequently decided that the ruling applied retroactively (Montgomery v. Louisiana, 2016), effectively rendering thousands of inmates eligible for resentencing and potential release from prison. In its decisions, the Court cited developmental science, noting that youth, by virtue of their transient immaturity, are less culpable and more amenable to rehabilitation relative to their adult counterparts. Specifically, the Court notes adolescents' propensity for impulsive action, sensitivity to social influence, and difficulty understanding long‐term consequences. Even so, these rulings raised concerns regarding the consequences of releasing prisoners who had committed heinous crimes as juveniles. Several years after the Court's decision, preliminary data are now available to shed light on rates of recidivism among those released. The current paper comprises three goals. First, we discuss the science of adolescent development and how it intersects with legal practice, contextualizing the Court's decision. Second, we present recidivism data from a sample of individuals formerly sentenced to JLWOP in Pennsylvania who were resentenced and released under Miller and Montgomery (N = 287). Results indicate that 15 individuals received new criminal charges up to 7 years postrelease (5.2%), the majority of which were nonviolent offenses. This low rate of recidivism is consistent with the developmental science documenting compromised decision‐making during the adolescent years, followed by desistance from criminal behavior in adulthood. Lastly, we discuss the importance of interdisciplinary collaborations between researchers and legal practitioners, as well as critical future avenues of research in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adolescent anhedonia is a multidimensional construct defined as the loss of enjoyment or pleasure across multiple domains of life. Anhedonia is concurrently associated with substantial impairment and distress, and it prospectively predicts the onset, severity, and treatment of depression. Despite its demonstrated importance, a limited number of anhedonia measures are validated for adolescents. The current study assessed the psychometric properties of the Dimensional Anhedonia Rating Scale (DARS) in 400 English-speaking, 12- to 19-year-old adolescents. Overall, the DARS demonstrated good convergent and discriminant validity, but sub-optimal concurrent validity. The strengths and limitations of the DARS and its utility as a measure of adolescent anhedonia are discussed. Furthermore, future directions for the construction of measures of adolescent anhedonia are outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depression is a prevalent, heterogeneous, and debilitating disorder that often emerges in adolescence, and there is a need to better understand vulnerability processes to inform more targeted intervention efforts. Psychophysiological methods, like event‐related potentials (ERPs), can offer unique insights into the cognitive and emotional processes underlying depression vulnerability. I review my and others' research examining ERP measures of reward responsiveness in youth depression and present a conceptual model of the development of low reward responsiveness, its role in depression vulnerability, and potential windows for targeted intervention. There is evidence that a blunted reward positivity (RewP) is observable in children at risk for depression, appears to be shaped in part by early social experiences, and predicts later depressive symptoms in combination with other risk factors like stress exposure. Further, a component consistent with RewP is reliably elicited in response to social acceptance feedback in computerized peer interaction tasks and demonstrates unique associations with social contextual factors and depressive symptoms, supporting the utility of developing psychophysiological tasks that may better capture youths' real‐world experiences and social risk processes. In addition, I address the translational implications of clinical psychophysiological research and describe a series of studies showing that a reduced RewP predicts greater reductions in depressive symptoms with treatment but is not modifiable by current treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy. Finally, I describe our preliminary efforts to develop a positive emotion‐focused intervention for the offspring of depressed mothers, informed by the RewP literature, and describe future directions for translating psychophysiological research to intervention and prevention. In this review, I summarize research on depression vulnerability showing relatively consistent evidence of blunted reward responsiveness (measured by event‐related potentials) in children and adolescents at risk for depression that appears to be shaped in part by early social experiences and predicts later depressive symptoms in combination with other risk factors like stress exposure. I highlight the importance of examining reward processing in the social domain and offer future directions to translate psychophysiology research into intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Inefficiencies in executive functioning (EF), more specifically cognitive flexibility and an overly detailed processing style, are frequently observed in individuals with Anorexia Nervosa (AN) and have been identified as potential targets in treatment. Cognitive Remediation Therapy (CRT) is an adjunctive treatment approach specifically designed to have a positive impact on EF. Mainly evaluated in adults, CRT has been criticized for its perceived ineffectiveness in promoting weight restoration or directly reducing eating disorder symptoms. Method: We argue that we need to refocus our conceptual framework for using CRT as an adjunctive treatment and specifically explore its potential benefit in adolescents. Results: Adolescence is a critical window for EF development during which CRT has the potential to have the most impact. While it may not specifically ameliorate eating disorder symptoms and directly improve weight gain, CRT may mitigate the impact of malnutrition on adolescent brain development, reduce attrition rates in treatment, and improve cognitive flexibility and (indirectly) other maintaining factors, thereby improving global functioning. Discussion: More research needs to be done to understand the development of EF in adolescents with AN and how best to employ CRT as an adjunctive treatment to support development and target maintaining factors. The current article broadly reviews findings on executive functioning inefficiencies in adolescents with AN and discusses the purpose and role of CRT in treating AN. Finally, we highlight key critiques of using CRT and pose questions for future research. Public Significance: Treatments targeting executive functioning in adolescents with AN are limited. We need to better understand how CRT can benefit adolescents in treatment. Increasing treatment options, including adjunctive treatments, is necessary to reduce the long‐term impact of AN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Substance use initiation during early adolescence is associated with later development of substance use and mental health disorders. This study used various domains to predict substance use initiation, defined as trying any nonprescribed substance (e.g., alcohol, tobacco, cannabis), by age 12, using a large longitudinal data set. Substance-naive youths from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study (ages 9–10; N=6,829) were followed for 3 years. A total of 420 variables were examined as predictors of substance use initiation, using a penalized logistic regression with elastic net; domains spanned demographic characteristics, self and peer involvement with substance use, parenting behaviors, mental and physical health, culture and environment, hormones, neurocognitive functioning, and structural neuroimaging. By age 12, 982 (14.4%) children reported substance initiation, with alcohol being the most common. Models with only self-report predictors had similar prediction performance to models adding hormones, neurocognitive factors, and neuroimaging predictors (AUCtest=0.66). Sociodemographic factors were the most robust predictors, followed by cultural and environmental factors, physical health factors, and parenting behaviors. The top predictor was a religious preference of Mormon (coefficient=−0.87), followed by a religious preference for Jewish (coefficient=0.32), and by Black youths (coefficient=−0.32). Sociodemographic variables were the most robust predictors of substance use initiation. Adding resource-intensive measures, including hormones, neurocognitive assessment, and structural neuroimaging, did not improve prediction of substance use initiation. The application of these large-scale findings in clinical settings could help to streamline and tailor prevention and early intervention efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intervening in White youths' ethnic-racial identity (ERI) development during adolescence can support the development of positive anti-racist ideologies and behaviors that challenge privilege and oppression, increase awareness of and reduce implicit bias, and embrace positive intergroup contact attitudes; yet, little is known within developmental science regarding how White adolescents develop their ERI within the United States' sociohistorical context. Thus, this paper reviews the current literature on White ERI development and applies the Integrative Model (Garcia Coll et al., 1996), through its keen attention to how structures of power, privilege, and oppression have a direct impact on various environments and experiences for young people, to White youths' ERI development. The social stratification of whiteness, school ethnic-racial socialization, color-evasive and anti-racist adapting cultural systems, and ethnic-racial socialization in White families are explored as mechanisms that impact White adolescents' ERI development within a macrosystem characterized by white supremacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adolescence coincides with a dramatic rise in the onset of psychiatric conditions including depression. Depression symptoms may be particularly prevalent and impairing for youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). While prior research suggests adolescence is associated with worsening depression symptoms for typically developing (TD) and autistic youth, it is unclear if they follow a similar course. Method: The study examined the trajectory of depressive symptoms in autistic and neurotypical youth over a 4-year longitudinal study using linear and logistic mixed effects models. In youth with clinically relevant depressive scores (t-score > 65), moderating factors (i.e., diagnosis, age, puberty, sex) were explored. During Year 1, the sample included 244 youth 10-to-13 years: 140 in the ASD group (36 females) and 104 in the TD group (46 females). Results: Autistic youth had elevated depression scores compared to TD peers (p < 0.001) and females were higher than males in both groups (p = 0.001). There was significant diagnosis by age (p < 0.001) and diagnosis by pubertal stage (p < 0.05) interactions. In the ASD group, elevated depressive scores presented in early adolescence and decreased during middle adolescence and puberty, whereas the TD group showed the opposite trend with an increase in depression symptoms with advancing development. Limitations: Limitations include an unequal sex distribution (fewer females), non-representative autistic sample (e.g., cognition and race/ethnicity), and potential confound of the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions: Autistic youth present with higher rates of depressive symptoms early in development; yet, approaching middle adolescence and puberty, the symptom trajectory in the autistic youth declines coinciding with an increase in the TD youth. While group trajectories are divergent, they lead to similar levels of depression in late adolescence with higher symptoms in females. Findings suggest a period of quiescence in depressive symptomology influenced by biopsychosocial factors impacting affective profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales, Niñez y Juventud is the property of Centro de Estudiso Avanzados en Ninez y Juventud alaianza Cinde, Universidad de Manizales and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Research suggests that parental substance use disorder is associated with adolescent drinking indirectly through negative urgency, a form of impulsivity that is particularly associated with high-risk drinking. Moreover, childhood mechanisms of risk may play a role in this developmental chain such that childhood temperament and parenting may be mechanisms through which parental substance use disorder is associated with adolescent negative urgency and drinking behavior. Therefore, the current study tested whether parental substance use disorder was indirectly associated with adolescent drinking frequency through childhood temperament (i.e., "dysregulated irritability") and adolescent negative urgency, and whether relations differed by levels of maternal support and consistency of discipline. Data come from a multigenerational, longitudinal study of familial substance use disorder (N = 276, Mage in childhood = 6.28 (SD = 1.16), Mage in adolescence = 15.86 (SD = 1.56), 45.3% female). Findings indicated that parental substance use disorder indirectly predicted adolescent drinking through both childhood dysregulated irritability and adolescent negative urgency (mediated pathways). This indirect relation was stronger at higher vs. lower levels of maternal support but did not vary by maternal consistency of discipline. Parental substance use disorder also indirectly predicted adolescent drinking separately through childhood dysregulated irritability and negative urgency. Findings thus suggest that childhood dysregulated irritability may be an early marker of risk toward high-risk personality traits and behavior in adolescence that are associated with having a parental history of substance use disorder. Findings also suggest that increased maternal support may only be helpful in buffering risk for those with low levels of dysregulated irritability. Prevention efforts focused on childhood emotion regulation and emotion-based action may be useful in preventing adolescent risk behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depression is a serious public health problem, and adolescence is an 'age of risk' for the onset of Major Depressive Disorder. Recently, we and others have proposed neuroimmune network models that highlight bidirectional communication between the brain and the immune system in both mental and physical health, including depression. These models draw on research indicating that the cellular actors (particularly monocytes) and signaling molecules (particularly cytokines) that orchestrate inflammation in the periphery can directly modulate the structure and function of the brain. In the brain, inflammatory activity heightens sensitivity to threats in the cortico‐amygdala circuit, lowers sensitivity to rewards in the cortico‐striatal circuit, and alters executive control and emotion regulation in the prefrontal cortex. When dysregulated, and particularly under conditions of chronic stress, inflammation can generate feelings of dysphoria, distress, and anhedonia. This is proposed to initiate unhealthy, self‐medicating behaviors (e.g. substance use, poor diet) to manage the dysphoria, which further heighten inflammation. Over time, dysregulation in these brain circuits and the inflammatory response may compound each other to form a positive feedback loop, whereby dysregulation in one organ system exacerbates the other. We and others suggest that this neuroimmune dysregulation is a dynamic joint vulnerability for depression, particularly during adolescence. We have three goals for the present paper. First, we extend neuroimmune network models of mental and physical health to generate a developmental framework of risk for the onset of depression during adolescence. Second, we examine how a neuroimmune network perspective can help explain the high rates of comorbidity between depression and other psychiatric disorders across development, and multimorbidity between depression and stress‐related medical illnesses. Finally, we consider how identifying neuroimmune pathways to depression can facilitate a 'next generation' of behavioral and biological interventions that target neuroimmune signaling to treat, and ideally prevent, depression in youth and adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper discusses the Coen brothers’ film Inside Llewyn Davis as representing in microcosm the developmental trajectory from late adolescence towards adulthood for the title character. This entails negotiating the problems of unconscious guilt, failure to mourn and an awareness of time in order to effect a movement from masochistic melancholy and hidden grandiosity to being able to relinquish omnipotent phantasies, say au revoir to internal persecutors and achieve a degree of self-possession. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical and preclinical evidence has demonstrated an increased risk for neuropsychiatric disorders following prenatal cannabinoid exposure. However, given the phytochemical complexity of cannabis, there is a need to understand how specific components of cannabis may contribute to these neurodevelopmental risks later in life. To investigate this, a rat model of prenatal cannabinoid exposure was utilized to examine the impacts of specific cannabis constituents (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol [THC]; cannabidiol [CBD]) alone and in combination on future neuropsychiatric liability in male and female offspring. Prenatal THC and CBD exposure were associated with low birth weight. At adolescence, offspring displayed sex-specific behavioural changes in anxiety, temporal order and social cognition, and sensorimotor gating. These phenotypes were associated with sex and treatment-specific neuronal and gene transcriptional alterations in the prefrontal cortex, and ventral hippocampus, regions where the endocannabinoid system is implicated in affective and cognitive development. Electrophysiology and RT-qPCR analysis in these regions implicated dysregulation of the endocannabinoid system and balance of excitatory and inhibitory signalling in the developmental consequences of prenatal cannabinoids. These findings reveal critical insights into how specific cannabinoids can differentially impact the developing fetal brains of males and females to enhance subsequent neuropsychiatric risk.

The present study identifies specifics of adolescence by reconstructing the cultural-historical process of the emergence of this age, which is essentially connected to modernity, by means of two epochal works of art from the years 1719 (Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe) and 1774 (Johann Wolfgang Goethe’s Die Leiden des jungen Werthers) which are reflected upon using terms derived from development theory. This study bases its conclusions on a summary theoretical model of adolescence as the awakening of subjectivity, with critical consideration given of current tendencies in dealing with and shaping adolescence. The potential associated with this stage of life as represented amid the unleashing of modernity seems to be decreasing again in its neoliberal late phase. It seems instead to be replaced by empty stagings and conjuration of creativity.

Circadian rhythms are endogenous, near 24-hour rhythms that regulate a multitude of biological and behavioral processes across the diurnal cycle in most organisms. Over the lifespan, a bell curve pattern emerges in circadian phase preference (i.e. chronotype), with children and adults generally preferring to wake earlier and fall asleep earlier, and adolescents and young adults preferring to wake later and fall asleep later than their adult counterparts. This well-defined shift speaks to the variability of circadian rhythmicity over the lifespan and the changing needs and demands of the brain as an organism develops, particularly in the adolescent period. Indeed, adolescence is known to be a critical period of development during which dramatic neuroanatomical changes are occurring to allow for improved decision-making. Due to the large amount of re-structuring occurring in the adolescent brain, circadian disruptions during this period could have adverse consequences that persist across the lifespan. While the detrimental effects of circadian disruptions in adults have been characterized in depth, few studies have longitudinally assessed the potential long-term impacts of circadian disruptions during adolescence. Here, we will review the evidence that disruptions in circadian rhythmicity during adolescence have effects that persist into adulthood. As biological and social time often conflict in modern society, with school start times misaligned with adolescents’ endogenous rhythms, it is critical to understand the long-term impacts of disrupted circadian rhythmicity in adolescence.

Ursula K. Le Guin (1929–2018) was an influential American writer who was a leading literary figure of the 20th century. She is known for her contributions to the science fiction and fantasy genres. She wrote numerous novels, short stories, poems, and essays throughout her career, exploring various themes and pushing the boundaries of speculative fiction. In this article, I discuss Le Guin's writings on the developmental tasks of adolescence. In Le Guin's fiction, she examines how different social and cultural contexts determine patterns of maturation and the acquisition of the roles and responsibilities of adulthood. This article focuses on two novels, A Wizard of Earthsea from the Books of Earthsea (Le Guin, 2018), and Coming of Age in Karhide (Le Guin, 2017). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectiveIndividual differences in adolescent personality are related to a variety of long-term health outcomes. While previous studies have demonstrated sex differences and non-linear changes in personality development, these results remain equivocal. The current study utilized longitudinal data (n = 831) from the National Consortium on Alcohol and Neurodevelopment in Adolescence to examine sex differences in the development of personality and the association between substance use and personality.MethodParticipants (ages 12-21 at baseline) completed the Ten-Item Personality Inventory and self-reported past year alcohol and marijuana use at up to 7 yearly visits. Data were analyzed using generalized additive mixed-effects models and linear mixed-effects models.ResultsFindings support linear increases in agreeableness and conscientious and decreases in openness with age and inform on timing of sex-specific non-linear development of extraversion and emotional stability. Further, results provide novel information regarding the timing of the association between substance use and personality, and replicate past reporting of differential associations between alcohol and marijuana use and extraversion, and sex-dependent effects of marijuana use on emotional stability.ConclusionsThese findings highlight the importance of modeling sex differences in personality development using flexible non-linear modeling strategies, and accounting for sex- and age-specific effects of alcohol and marijuana use.

This paper provides an overview of autonomy development during adolescence. Autonomy, inspired by the Separation-Individuation Theory of Peter Blos, was initially framed as autonomy-as-independence. However, as debates in the literature arose regarding the interpretation of autonomy in adolescence, often referred to as the detachment debate, it became evident that a distinction is needed between autonomy-as-independence and autonomy-as-volitional functioning, the latter definition coming from Self-Determination Theory of Ryan and Deci). This paper defines both facets of autonomy in adolescence and reviews a line of research on their developmental trajectories, the cross-cultural interpretations of autonomy, and the role parents play in nurturing adolescent autonomy. This review provides further evidence for the two-dimensional nature of autonomy in adolescence. This distinction between independence and volition carries significant implications for how autonomy is perceived in relation to adolescents’ psychosocial adjustment and development. It also influences our understanding of how micro-contexts, such as parents and macro-contexts, including cultural factors, can shape adolescent autonomy. It is our hope that this paper contributes to the clarification of the autonomy concept and serves as an inspiration for young researchers to pursue further investigations into this vital subject. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological age-based competitions have been suggested to mitigate maturation bias among youth football players. This study analysed the physical demands and spatial exploration behaviour when playing football matches against biological or chronological age-based opposition. One-hundred and sixteen U-13 and U-14 male regional-level football players were recruited from five Portuguese football academies. Each player completed eight games, four per condition (chronological and biological-based), on the same day. Games were played in 7 vs. 7 formats, with 20-min duration, and conformed to standard officiating and rule procedures. The following variables were considered from GPS-data in each game: distance covered, high-intensity accelerations and decelerations, body impacts, and average and peak speeds. Furthermore, average, and peak heart rates (HRpeak) and spatial exploration index were collected. Players covered significantly less distance (ES = 1.11), performed fewer decelerations (ES = 0.82), achieved lower average speeds (ES = 1.15), had fewer body impacts (ES = 0.94), and recorded lower HRpeak (ES = 0.56) in the biological age-based competition compared to the chronological-age-based. No significant differences were found between the two formats in spatial exploration. Both game formats offer distinct physical demands at the external and internal levels. Finally, practitioners can manipulate the type of opposition to get distinct physical demands to mitigate the effect of maturation bias during development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adolescence represents a critical period of development for forming a sense of self. Though many studies have focused on the negative effects of racism and discrimination on the identity development of Black youth, little research has been conducted on the protective nature of culture and racial socialization. Fewer studies describe interventions for healthy racial socialization. This study seeks to address this gap by evaluating the acceptability of a pilot multifamily group intervention focusing on positive racial socialization. Three adolescent and caretaker families took part in this pilot program. Acceptability and feasibility were measured through attendance rates and scores on satisfaction questionnaires completed by all participants. Findings suggest that the group was well-received as evidenced by attendance rates and feedback. Both youths and parents demonstrated strong attendance, rated the intervention highly, and expressed that the group both facilitated and increased confidence in discussing race, pride, and coping with discrimination. This study is the first multifamily group intervention aimed at improving racial pride in adolescents to our knowledge and opens the door to the development of similar interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Participation in sports during youth is typically beneficial for mental health. However, it is unclear whether elite sport contexts contribute to greater risk of psychological distress or disorder. The aims of this paper are to highlight conceptual issues that require resolution in future research and practice, and to examine the key factors that may contribute to the mental health of elite youth athletes (EYAs). Evidence Acquisition: A narrative overview of the literature combined with the clinical and research expertise of the authors. Study Design: Narrative overview. Level of Evidence: Level 5. Results: EYAs experience a range of biopsychosocial developmental changes that interact with mental health in a multitude of ways. In addition, there are various sport-specific factors that contribute to the mental health of EYAs that may become more prominent in elite contexts. These include - but are not limited to - patterns relating to athlete coping and self-relating styles, the nature of peer, parental, and coach relationships, organizational culture and performance pressures, and mental health service provision and accessibility. Conclusion: A range of critical factors across individual, interpersonal, organizational, and societal domains have been shown to contribute to mental health among EYAs. However, this evidence is limited by heterogeneous samples and varied or imprecise terminology regarding what constitutes "youth" and "elite" in sport. Nevertheless, it is clear that EYAs face a range of risks that warrant careful consideration to progress to best practice principles and recommendations for mental health promotion and intervention in elite youth sport. SORT: Level C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early maladaptive traits are predictive of later borderline personality pathology (BPP), but little is known about their dynamic interplay over time. This is an important issue to address, however, as significant differences in the 'clinical weight' of various traits constituting the early BPP trait phenotype may inform the field on important target constructs from an early intervention perspective. Therefore, the current study aims to uncover the complex dependencies between BPP traits across the crucial developmental period of childhood and adolescence, by using longitudinal network analysis. Both between- and within-person networks were constructed to identify how early mother-reported borderline-related traits are connected across a timespan of six years (ntime 1 = 718, Mtime1 = 10.73 years, SDtime1 = 1.39, 55.1% girls). Overall, the temporal network suggested various trait interdependencies, with internalizing traits being particularly influential in the development of the BPP trait network structure. At the same time, externalizing traits likely inhibit the negative effects of these core traits. In addition, results also revealed that internalizing and externalizing clusters of early borderline-related traits are linked through emotional lability. Implications of these findings are discussed in view of the change mechanisms at play and potential targets for early intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Route Educational & Social Science Journal (Ress Journal) is the property of Ress Academy Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Callous-unemotional (CU) traits refer to a cluster of characteristics such as low empathy, lack of remorse, and insensitivity to the emotions of others, delineating a group of youth at high risk for severe antisocial behavior. Two variants—primary and secondary CU—have been theorized to have different underlying mechanisms, although mixed findings have been reported. The current study examined if the variants differ in their level of anticipatory fear in 92 youths from the community (mean age = 14.2 years, range = 12.3–16.4 years; 43.5% female). Participants completed a countdown task while their heart rate and skin conductance responses were recorded. Parents and youths completed the inventory of callous-unemotional traits and the child behavior checklist. Compared to the control group (low CU/low anxiety), the primary CU group (high CU/low anxiety) showed prolonged heart rate deceleration in anticipation of the impending aversive stimulus. The secondary CU group (high CU/high anxiety) did not differ from the other two groups on heart rate or skin conductance responses. This prolonged heart rate deceleration in the primary CU group is interpreted in the context of the passive vagal coping theory of antisocial behavior which hypothesizes that an over-engagement of the parasympathetic nervous system reduces the impact of a socializing punishment, which in turn predisposes individuals to antisocial behavior. Findings provide further support for the distinct etiology of two variants of CU traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The tendency to prefer smaller, immediate rewards over larger, delayed rewards is known as delay discounting (DD). Developmental deviations in DD may be key in characterizing psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. Recent work empirically supported DD as a transdiagnostic process in various psychiatric disorders. Yet, there is a lack of research relating developmental changes in DD from mid‐childhood to adolescence to psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. Additionally, examining the interplay between socioeconomic status/total household income (THI) and psychiatric symptoms is vital for a more comprehensive understanding of pediatric pathology and its complex relationship with DD. Methods: The current study addresses this gap in a robust psychiatric sample of 1843 children and adolescents aged 5–18 (M = 10.6, SD = 3.17; 1,219 males, 624 females). General additive models (GAMs) characterized the shape of age‐related changes in monetary and food reward discounting for nine psychiatric disorders compared with neurotypical youth (NT; n = 123). Over 40% of our sample possessed a minimum of at least three psychiatric or neurodevelopmental disorders. We used bootstrap‐enhanced Louvain community detection to map DD‐related comorbidity patterns. We derived five subtypes based on diagnostic categories present in our sample. DD patterns were then compared across each of the subtypes. Further, we evaluated the effect of cognitive ability, emotional and behavioral problems, and THI in relation to DD across development. Results: Higher discounting was found in six of the nine disorders we examined relative to NT. DD was consistently elevated across development for most disorders, except for depressive disorders, with age‐specific DD differences compared with NTs. Community detection analyses revealed that one comorbidity subtype consisting primarily of Attention‐Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Combined Presentation and anxiety disorders displayed the highest overall emotional/behavioral problems and greater DD for the food reward. An additional subtype composed mainly of ADHD, predominantly Inattentive Presentation, learning, and developmental disorders, showed the greatest DD for food and monetary rewards compared with the other subtypes. This subtype had deficits in reasoning ability, evidenced by low cognitive and academic achievement performance. For this ADHD‐I and developmental disorders subtype, THI was related to DD across the age span such that participants with high THI showed no differences in DD compared with NTs. In contrast, participants with low THI showed significantly worse DD trajectories than all others. Our results also support prior work showing that DD follows nonlinear developmental patterns. Conclusions: We demonstrate preliminary evidence for DD as a transdiagnostic marker of psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders in children and adolescents. Comorbidity subtypes illuminate DD heterogeneity, facilitating the identification of high‐risk individuals. Importantly, our findings revealed a marked link between DD and intellectual reasoning, with children from lower‐income households exhibiting lower reasoning skills and heightened DD. These observations underscore the potential consequences of compromised self‐regulation in economically disadvantaged individuals with these disorders, emphasizing the need for tailored interventions and further research to support improved outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Most neurodevelopmental tests used to assess child development in sub-Saharan Africa were developed in western or high-income countries, raising the question of their usefulness with African children. Objective This systematic review identified and synthesized key findings from studies measuring development in children in Sub-Saharan Africa in early childhood and again at school age, to assess neurocognitive associations longitudinally from infancy through middle childhood. Methods The study was based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses method, selecting articles referenced in the PubMed, PsycInfo, and Embase databases using the following inclusion criteria: published between 2000 and 2022, written in French or English, and presenting results dealing with the objective assessment of child's neurodevelopment. All articles were registered in the Zotero reference manager and analyzed by title, abstract, and full text. Results Several of the seven selected studies confirmed that attention and working memory in infancy can predict children's neurocognitive performance, including mathematical ability, at school age. In two of the studies, children with poor mental development at 1 year of age are more likely to present with poorer behavioral development at school age, including learning difficulties in school and risk for grade repetition. Conclusion Cognitive ability assessed in early childhood is strongly associated with performance at school age in cohorts of African children followed longitudinally. Even with assessments adapted cross-culturally, infants and preschoolers at risk for poor developmental outcomes can be identified to better receive strategic early interventions to enhance their development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Difficulties in social skills are highly prevalent in children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), however, the reasons for these social difficulties are poorly understood. This study aimed to understand social motivation in children (aged 5–8) and adolescents (aged 13–17) with and without ADHD, and the relationship between social anxiety and social motivation in youth with ADHD. Method: 204 parents of children and adolescents with and without ADHD completed online questionnaires on social motivation, social anxiety, and ADHD symptoms. Results: Adolescents with ADHD had significantly lower social motivation than typically developing adolescents, and children with ADHD. Higher social anxiety significantly predicted lowered social motivation in participants with ADHD. Conclusions: These findings indicate a unique pattern of social motivation in ADHD, specifically a reduction during adolescence, reflecting social intervention inefficacy. Additionally, these findings establish a link between social motivation and social anxiety, suggesting that they may act as barriers to social intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The transition from childhood to adolescence is a period of developmental changes, with social influences. Few previous studies have analyzed changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) during childhood and adolescence based on longitudinal studies in high-income countries. This study aimed to describe the evolution of HRQoL scores by gender in a school sample over a 7-year period in Argentina. Methods: Prospective cohort of children attending fourth grade in public schools. HRQoL was measured using the KIDSCREEN-52 questionnaire. Trajectories of HRQoL were estimated for girls and boys through multilevel models, adjusted by socioeconomic status (SES). Results: The study began in 2014 with a sample of 494 school children, reaching an 85.6% response rate in 2016, 31.4% in 2018, and 41.9% in 2021. Most of the predicted scores are negatively associated with linear age or/and quadratic age, suggesting a decrease in scores over the 7-year follow-up. Interactions between gender and age denote an increase in the differences in scores between girls and boys over time in favor of the latter. For the Index, Physical Well-being, Psychological Well-being, Autonomy, Parent relations, Social support and peers and Financial resources, individuals with medium or high SES have significantly higher scores than those with low SES. Conclusions: HRQoL scores decrease during the transition period from childhood to adolescence, with girls showing the greatest decrease. There were also socioeconomic inequalities in the evolution of HRQoL in a context characterized by social segregation and economic crisis, possibly aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adolescence is a conserved developmental period associated with low alcohol responsivity, which can contribute to heavy drinking and development of an alcohol use disorder (AUD) later in life. To investigate ethanol responsivity between adolescent and adult rats, we developed an ethanol response battery (ERB) to assess acute ethanol responses across cumulative doses of ethanol during the rising phase of the blood ethanol curve. We tested the hypothesis that adolescent male and female rats would exhibit lower ethanol responsivity to a cumulative ethanol challenge relative to adults. Male and female adolescent (postnatal day [P]40) and adult (P85) Wistar rats underwent ERB assessment following consecutive doses of ethanol (i.e., 1.0, 1.0, and 1.0 g/kg) to produce cumulative ethanol doses of 0.0, 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 g/kg. The ERB consisted of (1) the 6-point behavioral intoxication rating scale, (2) body temperature assessment, (3) tail blood collection, (4) accelerating rotarod assessment, (5) tilting plane assessment, and (6) loss of righting reflex (LORR) assessment. Across cumulative ethanol doses, adolescent and adult rats evidenced progressive changes in ERB measures. On the ERB, adolescent rats of both sexes evidenced (1) lower intoxication rating, (2) blunted hypothermic responses, particularly in females, (3) longer latencies to fall from the accelerating rotarod, and (4) less tilting plane impairment relative to adults despite comparable BECs. All adult rats, regardless of sex, displayed a LORR at the 3.0 g/kg cumulative ethanol dose while among the adolescent rats, only one male rat and no females showed the LORR. These data reveal decreased adolescent ethanol responsivity across body temperature, intoxication, balance, and coordination responses to a cumulative ethanol challenge as assessed using the novel ERB relative to adults. The results of this study suggest that adolescent-specific low ethanol responsivity may contribute to adolescent binge drinking and increased risk for development of an AUD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims The microbiome is a critical factor in health throughout human development. The aims of this scoping review are to (i) elucidate the differences between the youth (post-natal day 21–65 for rodents, 2–7 years for non-human primates, and 10–25 years for humans) microbiome with other life stages and (ii) identify youth-specific microbial changes associated with substance use. Methods Peer-reviewed studies published up to May 2023 were identified in PubMed and SCOPUS and included gut and oral microbiome studies from rodents, non-human primates, and humans (N  = 1733). Twenty-six articles were determined eligible based on inclusion criteria (aim 1: n  = 19, aim 2: n  = 7). Results The adolescent and young adult oral and gut microbiomes are distinct compared to other life stages, within both non-human and human models. While there is limited research in this area, the microbiome appears to be vulnerable to substance use exposure earlier in life, including substances commonly initiated and escalated during adolescence and young adulthood (i.e. alcohol, cannabis, and tobacco). Conclusions Studies across the lifespan indicate that adolescence and young adulthood are distinct periods of development, where the microbiome is sensitive to exposures, including substance use. There is a need for more studies focused on the adolescent and young adult microbiome and substance use, as well as focused on the oral microbiome during this developmental period. Understanding the gut and oral microbiome during adolescence and young adulthood may provide insight into the pathophysiology of substance use disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

School achievement has long-term consequences for occupational success, mental health, and overall psychological adjustment. The present study examined the association between temperament trajectories from late childhood through adolescence and academic outcomes during late adolescence and young adulthood. Data come from the California Families Project, a longitudinal study of 674 Mexican-origin youth assessed 12 times from Age 10 to 23, and from school records. Results from latent growth curve models indicate that higher levels of Effortful Control (EC) at Age 10 were associated with better academic achievement (i.e., higher high school grade point average and test scores, greater likelihood of high school graduation and college attendance) in late adolescence and young adulthood. Higher levels of Negative Emotionality (NEM) at Age 10 were associated with worse academic achievement, but this effect did not hold for all facets of NEM. Neither the levels nor slopes of Positive Emotionality (Surgency, Affiliation) consistently predicted school achievement. There were no main effects of the EC or NEM slopes; however, statistically significant interactions between these slopes and parental monitoring emerged. When parental monitoring was low, youth who experienced greater increases in EC (vs. flat or decreasing slopes) had better academic achievement, and youth who experienced greater increases in NEM had worse academic achievement; in contrast, when parents closely monitored their children, changes in EC and NEM were only weakly associated with achievement. Overall, these findings demonstrate that temperament in late childhood, and changes in temperament across adolescence, have important prospective effects on academic achievement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]